Walking in the Resurrection . . . Proclaiming that Good News!

With no intent to dismiss my concern or questions, and without trying to be secretive or evasive, the Regional Director – Africa, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Mission replied re pulling the plug on Pr. May's mission work in West Africa:

Rev. Hering,

Rev. James May will be concluding his ministry in West Africa. Upon completion of his term this month, we will be working with him to depart the field. LCMS World Mission will continue to support James and his family as he seeks to share his gifts in new ministry opportunities. The May family will receive financial support and benefits through the BFMS transition allowance. We thank God for all that has been accomplished to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in Africa through James’ involvement with LCMS World Mission.

We want you to know LCMS World Mission’s ministry in West Africa will continue. Many other missionaries in Africa and serving around the world need prayer and financial support. We ask that you prayerfully consider transferring your support to another missionary or consider continuing support of the ongoing work.

I am sorry that I am not able to share with you the reasons why Rev. May is leaving the field. I am certain that if Rev. May wishes to do so, you could contact him and he could share those with you. As a pastor, you have a desire and an obligation to protect the confidentiality of your members, staff, and lay leaders. I have that same obligation, in addition to the HR policies in place in our church body. I simply cannot discuss personnel matters, and I’m sure you understand.

I try desperately to understand how things can look from the outside. In mission, we are in the business of spreading the Gospel, not disrupting it. We make decisions prayerfully with much consideration and consultation. We work with complete, reliable information. We rely on our own spiritual gifts and on the wealth of mission experience that surrounds us here at LCMS. It is not my intent to dismiss your concern or your questions. I’m certainly not trying to be secretive or evasive. I’m sharing all that is appropriate. We both want the best for our church body, and we both want the ministries of LCMS to thrive here and abroad. Let’s pray for each other and support one another, recognizing the task isn’t always easy.

Please keep the May family in your prayers.

Walking in the Resurrection . . ..
Proclaiming that Good News!
Jesus said, “I have come to seek and to save those who are lost”, Luke 19:10.

Rev. Paul Mueller, PhD Missiology <’}}}><
Regional Director – Africa, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Mission